Cryogenic system development for LOX/ hydrocarbon propulsion research

Abstract

A propulsion research facility is being developed at the Center for Space Exploration Technology Research (cSETR) at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). These facilities were developed in order to meet new research demand for Liquid Oxygen (LOX)/Liquid methane (LCH4) experiments. The main goal of this system is to produce in-house liquid methane and supply propellants to their respective test set up in a cryogenic state. The work presented describes the design, development, and operation of a liquid methane condensation system and a cryogenic delivery feed system. The condensation system design will allow for a production of methane of up to 25 L. The predicted performance is 71 N LOX/ LCH4 thruster with a 368 Isp and a line pressure of 1310kPa.^